Woman, three-year-old granddaughter killed in elephant attack near Valparai

A 55-year-old woman and her three-year-old granddaughter were trampled to death by a wild elephant near Valparai in Coimbatore district early on Monday (October 13, 2025).

The deceased were identified as Asala and her granddaughter Hemasree, residents of a labourline in a tea estate on Pollachi-Valparai Road.

Forest Department officials said that Asala had been residing with her son Marimuthu, his wife, the couple’s son, and daughter Hemasree. The estate falls within the limits of the Valparai forest range of the Anamalai Tiger Reserve.

As per preliminary reports, a wild elephant knocked on a window of their residence around 3.45 a.m., following which Asala carried Hemasree and opened the front door. The elephant quickly moved to the front door and attacked the woman with its trunk. The girl fell and was trampled to death by the elephant. The animal attacked Asala again, leaving her critically injured.

Though Asala was rushed to the Government Hospital at Valparai, she succumbed to her injuries before reaching the hospital, Forest Department officials said.

After being alerted about the incident, the Forest Department sent three anti-depredation watchers to the location and drove out the elephant.